Resilient hinge for eyeglasses

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for use with eyeglasses. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hinge assembly to attach a temple to a main frame of a pair of eyeglasses. The hinge assembly of this embodiment may include a pair of hinge members (formed as a ball and socket) rotationally attached to one another and each resiliently attached (e.g., using a spring) to a respective one of the temple and the main frame of the pair of eyeglasses.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/793,717, filed Apr. 21, 2006 and U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/776,234, filed Feb. 24, 2006. Each of the aforementionedapplications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for use witheyeglasses.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hinge assembly toattach a temple to a main frame of a pair of eyeglasses. The hingeassembly of this embodiment may include a pair of hinge members (formedas a ball and socket) rotationally attached to one another and eachresiliently attached (e.g., using a spring) to a respective one of thetemple and the main frame of the pair of eyeglasses.

For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention theterm “resiliently attached” is intended to refer to the flexibleattachment of one element to another (as compared to an essentiallyimmovable attachment of one element to another). To give one example(which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), oneelement may be resiliently attached to another element via use of aspring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eyeglasses (e.g., spectacle frames, sunglasses and other types ofeyewear) are available in a diverse array of types, shapes, sizes, andmaterials. Generally, spectacle frames come into three basic types—full,semi or half-rimless, and rimless. A “full” eyeglass frame is comprisedof a lens rim that completely encircles the lens. In a “semi-rimless”eyeglass frame there is no rim encircling the bottom or top of the lens.On the other hand, “rimless” eyeglass frames normally have no rim aroundthe lens. For the most part, rimless eyeglasses come in three pieces(two end pieces and the nose bridge), although other variations alsoexist. In this rimless configuration, the lens or lenses form part ofthe spectacle frame. Generally, in a rimless configuration, each lens isroutinely drilled so that the components fit snugly into the lens. Whilethe invention is described using one specific example of spectacleframes, the invention can, of course, be adapted and used for rimmed,semi-rimless and/or rimless frames. For the purpose of ease andconvenience, embodiments illustrated show a “full” eyeglass frame buteach figure could be illustrated with any of the varying types ofconstruction detailed above or others known in the art.

Regardless of the type of frame, eyeglasses typically include a pair oftemples (that is, right and left temples) that extend rearwardly fromthe main frame for engagement with the user's ears. Each temple istypically attached to the main frame at a temple region of the mainframe by a hinge to allow the temple to be folded behind the main framefor storage when not in use (as discussed above, the main frame may ormay not be formed by including one or more lenses and each temple regionmay or may not be formed at or included on one or more of the lenses—forexample, in the full configuration the main frame is distinct from eachlens and each temple region is formed at the distinct main frame; incontrast, in the rimless configuration the main frame is formed at leastpartially from one or more lenses and each temple region is formed at orincluded on one or more of the lenses).

In some conventional eyeglasses, the hinge permits folding and unfoldingof the temple but inhibits movement of the temple in the unfolded statebeyond a position in which the temple is generally perpendicular to themain frame. In that unfolded position the hinge is relatively vulnerableto abnormal loads that may occur in use. Such loads may occur, forexample, from accidental contact with the eyeglasses or from improperstorage. In this regard, the hinge is typically one of the morevulnerable components of the eyeglasses and, accordingly, damage to thehinge frequently occurs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section on the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of the hinge assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the components of the hinge assemblyshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a component used inthe hinge assembly of FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of yet of anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A-11C are, respectively, inside, top and outside views of aportion of a pair of eyeglasses according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are exploded views showing the components of a hingeassembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are exploded views showing the components of a hingeassembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are exploded views showing the components of a hingeassembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are exploded views showing the components of a hingeassembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are exploded views showing the components of a hingeassembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 26A and 26B are views of a component of a hinge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures. The figures constitute a part of this specification and includeillustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with thevarious embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative,and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale,some features may be exaggerated to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a pair of eyeglassesgenerally indicated at 10 includes a main frame 12 having openings 14 toreceive lenses. The main frame 12 includes a bridge 16 and a pair oftemple regions 18 (that is, right and left temple regions). Of note,each temple region 18 may be formed as an integral part of the mainframe 12 or may be attached (e.g., via glue, solder, crimping, screws,bolts or any other desired mechanism) to the main frame 12. A pair oftemples 20 (that is, right and left temples) extend rearwardly from thetemple regions 18 and are attached to the main frame 12 at the templeregions 18 by a hinge assembly 22, which is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 2 through 5 (in this embodiment, the two hinge assemblies areessentially identical, although other embodiments may utilize distincthinge assemblies such as configured for right side or left side use).

Referring now to FIG. 2, each hinge assembly 22 bridges between arespective temple 20 and the temple region 18 of the main frame 12. Thehinge assembly 22 has a pair of housings 24, 26. Housing 24 is attachedto a respective temple 20 (while housing 24 is shown here as disposedwithin temple 20, housing 24 could, in other examples, be disposedadjacent temple 20 or surrounding temple 20). Housing 26 is attached tothe main frame 12 in the respective temple region 18 (while housing 26is shown here as disposed adjacent temple region 18, housing 26 could,in other examples, be disposed within temple region 18 or surroundingtemple region 18). The housings 24, 26 accommodate a ball and socketjoint generally indicated at 28, the details of which will be describedbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it is seen that the housing 24 has a forwardlydirected cavity 30 and a rearwardly directed cavity 32 between which apartition 34 is formed (each of cavity 30, 32 may have a cylindricalcross section, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross section, atriangular cross section, or any other desired shape). The rear of thehousing 24 includes extension 36 to attach to an end of the temple 20(the interface between the extension and the temple may have acylindrical cross section, a square cross-section, a rectangular crosssection, a triangular cross section, or any other desired shape). Thehousing 26 has a forwardly directed cavity 38 with a partition 40delineating the cavity 38 (cavity 38 may have a cylindrical crosssection, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross section, atriangular cross section, or any other desired shape). An overhang 42 isprovided on the side of the partition 40 opposite to the cavity 38 andadjacent to the housing 24.

Each of the cavities 32, 38, receives a compression spring 44, 46 thatis seated against a respective partition 34, 40. Each of the partitions34, 40 has an opening 48, 50 (each of opening 48, 50 may be cylindrical,square, rectangular, triangular, or any other desired shape).

The ball and socket joint 28 includes a socket member 52 located withinthe housing 24. The socket member 52 has a projection 54 that extendsthrough the opening 48 and through the center of the spring 44(projection 54 may have a cross section that is cylindrical, square,rectangular, triangular, or any other desired shape—depending upon theshape of opening 48). The distal portion of the projection 54 isthreaded and receives a securing nut 56 that bears against the spring 44(in another example, rather than using a securing nut threaded to thedistal portion of projection 54, an end piece may be crimped, snapped-onor otherwise attached to the distal portion of projection 54 to retainspring 44).

The end of the socket member 52 opposite to the projection 54 is formedas a cavity 58 to receive a ball member 60 (the cavity 58 may have acylindrical cross section, a square cross-section, a rectangular crosssection, a triangular cross section, or any other desired shape). Thecavity 58 is defined by four fingers 62, 64, 66, 68 (finger 68 is shownpartially cut-away in the view of FIG. 5) respectively defined by a pairof longitudinal slots 70, 72 in the wall of the socket member 52(although this embodiment utilizes four fingers and a pair of slots, anydesired number of fingers and slots may be utilized). Each of thefingers 62, 64, 66, 68 terminates at its forward end in an inwardlydirected flange 74 that overlies the open end of the cavity 58. The ball60 has a pin 76 extending forwardly and through the opening 50 in thepartition 40 (pin 76 may have a cylindrical cross section, a squarecross-section, a rectangular cross section, a triangular cross section,or any other desired shape—depending upon the shape of opening 50). Thepin 76 passes through the spring 46 and is secured by securing nut 78threaded onto the distal end of the pin 76 (in another example, ratherthan using a securing nut threaded to the distal end of pin 76, an endpiece may be crimped, snapped-on or otherwise attached to the distal endof pin 76 to retain spring 46).

One example of the steps which may be carried out to assemble the hingeassembly 22 will now be described. In this example, the socket member 52is inserted within the cavity 30 in housing 24. It will be noted fromFIG. 5 that the exterior of the socket member 52 may be non-circular(e.g., rectangular). In this case, the socket member 52 will have afixed orientation within the cavity 30 (when the cavity 30 has anon-circular shape matching that of socket member 52). The spring 44 isthen inserted into the cavity 32 over projection 54 and secured with thesecuring nut 56.

The ball 60 is then inserted into the cavity 58 by forcing the ball 60axially between the fingers 62, 64, 66, 68 (the ends of one or more offingers 62, 64, 66, 68 may be angled or chamfered to aid in insertion ofball 60 into cavity 58). The fingers have sufficient flexibility toseparate and allow the ball 60 to snap into the cavity 58. The inturnedflanges 74 provide an abutment surface against which the ball 60 seatsand is retained (in operation, pin 76 may extend through the slots 70and 72 to allow the ball to pivot with respect to the socket member 52).The housing 26 may then be inserted over the pin 76 and the spring 46located within the cavity 38 (surrounding the pin 76). The spring isthen retained by the securing nut 78.

When assembled, the end face of the socket member 52 bears against theouter face of the partition 40 under the action of the spring 46 (whenspring 46 pulls on ball 60 and, indirectly, socket member 52). In orderto fold the temple 20 behind the main frame 12, rotation occurs betweenthe ball 60 and the socket member 52. As rotation occurs, the edge ofthe socket member 52 forms a line of rotation so that the springs 46 and44 are compressed as the housing 24 is rotated relative to the housing26. As the housing 24 rotates, the pin 76 passes along the slot 72 toallow the temple 20 to fold behind the main frame 12.

Unfolding the temple 20 from behind the main frame 12 similarly producesa relative pivotal movement between the housing 24 and housing 26 (withthe springs 44, 46 providing a bias that acts to hold the temple 20 inthe unfolded position). If a force is applied to move the temple 20further outwardly relative to the main frame 12 (that is, beyond aposition in which the temple 20 is generally perpendicular to the mainframe 12), a movement similar to that occurring when the temple 20 isfolded will occur with the springs 44, 46 yielding to accommodate thefurther outward movement. The temple 20 is thus not subjected toexcessive bending forces and upon removal of the further outwardlydirected force, the springs 44, 46 will cause the temple to return toits normal unfolded position (that is, generally perpendicular to themain frame 12).

Further, under normal conditions, the overhang 42 cooperates with theupper side of the socket member 52 to inhibit rotation of the temple 20about a horizontal axis of the ball joint (that is, the overhang 42cooperates with the upper side of the socket member 52 to inhibitrotation of the temple 20 up and down relative to the main frame 12).If, however, an abnormal load is applied in a vertical plane, thesprings 44, 46 will again yield to permit relative pivoting between thehousings 24 and 26 (that is, allow movement of the temple 20 up and downrelative to the main frame 12). In this case, the pin 76 passes alongthe slot 70 to accommodate the displacement (the springs 44, 46 providea return bias once the up/down loading is removed).

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, housing 24 a is attached to themain frame 12, and housing 26 a is attached to the end of the temple 20a. In FIG. 6, like elements from FIGS. 1-5 are given like referencenumerals with the suffix “a” for clarity. It will be appreciated thatthe hinge assembly 22 a operates in a manner similar to hinge assembly22 described above and the details thereof need not be reiterated. Itwill be noted from FIG. 6 that the pin 76 a and projection 54 a aresuitably sized in order to accommodate variations in the size ofcavities 32 a and 38 a that may be required in order to reverse theorientation of housings 24 a and 26 a when compared to the orientationof housings 24 and 26 as shown in FIG. 3. The springs 44 a and 46 a arealso suitably chosen to accommodate variations in the size of cavities32 a and 38 a as required. It will also be noted from FIG. 6 thatoverhang 42 a is modified to include a stepped portion 100 that isoriented to attach to the end of the temple 20 a such that housing 26 awill fit with temple 20 a in a manner similar to the fit of the housing24 and temple 20 as shown in FIG. 3.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the housing 26 b is attachedto the main frame 12 b and the pin 76 b is attached to the housing 26 b.In FIG. 7, like elements from FIGS. 1-5 that have been adapted for thearrangement shown are given like numerals with the suffix “b” forclarity. It will be appreciated that the socket member 52 b, housing 24b, projection 54 b, and spring 44 b are essentially identical to andoperate in the same way as those elements shown in FIG. 3 such that whenthe temple 20 b is rotated, the housing 24 b will bear on and interactwith overhang 42 b in a manner similar to what has been described above.It also will be noted from FIG. 7 that pin 76 b is of a suitable lengthto accommodate movement of the fingers of socket member 52 b within gap101. In operation, the ball 60 b will remain in an essentially fixedposition while the pin 76 b slides within either slot of socket member52 b. When the temple 20 b is folded, the spring 44 b will compress andprojection 54 will slide within opening 48 in a manner similar to thatdescribed above.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, socket member 52 c isintegrally formed with housing 24 c and in turn attaches to the end ofthe temple 20 c. In FIG. 8, like elements from FIGS. 1-5 that have beenadapted for the arrangement shown are given like numerals with thesuffix “c” for clarity. In this arrangement, flange 102 projects fromthe housing 24 c to provide a member for the overhang 42 c to bear onand interact with as the temple 20 c is rotated. It will be noted fromFIG. 8 that as the temple 20 c is rotated, the spring 46 c will compressand the pin 76 c will slide within opening 50 c as before to providesuitable clearance to allow the fingers of socket member 52 c to movearound the ball 60 c. In operation, the socket member 52 c will remainin an essentially fixed position relative to the temple 20 c while thepin 76 c slides within either slot of socket member 52 c.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the arrangement shown in FIG.6 is adapted such that the housing 24 d is integrally formed with thesocket member 52 d, which is attached to the main frame 12 d. In FIG. 9,like elements from FIGS. 1-5 that have been adapted for the arrangementshown are given like numerals with the suffix “d” for clarity. In thisarrangement, a stepped portion 103 is formed in the housing 24 d to bearagainst and interact with overhang 42 d. It will be noted from FIG. 9that as the temple 20 d is rotated, the spring 46 d will compress in amanner similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, however, the socketmember 52 d will remain essentially fixed. The pin 76 d will slidewithin opening 50 d as before to allow suitable clearance for theoverhang 42 d to move relative to the stepped portion 103. The fingersof socket member 52 d will remain essentially stationary while the pin76 d slides in either slot of socket member 52 d.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement shown inFIG. 6 is adapted such that the housing 26 e is integrally formed withthe ball 60 e and pin 76 e. In FIG. 10, like elements from FIGS. 1-5that have been adapted for the arrangement shown are given like numeralswith the suffix “e” for clarity. In this arrangement, a stepped portion42 e bears against and interacts with the housing 24 e, and the legportion 100 e is adapted to attach to the end of the temple 20 e. Itwill be noted from FIG. 10 that as the temple 20 e is rotated, thespring 44 e will compress in a manner similar to the arrangement shownin FIG. 6, however, the ball 60 e and pin 76 e will remain essentiallyfixed. The projection 54 e will slide within opening 48 e as before toallow suitable clearance for the overhang 42 e to move relative to thehousing 24 e. The socket member 52 e is able to slide outward from thehousing 24 e while the stationary pin 76 e slides in either slot ofsocket member 52 e.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the pin and projection should besuitably sized to enable the necessary rotation of the overhangs withrespect to the housings during rotation of the temple 20.

It will be further appreciated, of course, that various embodiments ofthe present invention permit the hinge assembly 22 to accommodateabnormal loads applied in a number of directions and the choice of usingone or two springs (and the strength of such springs) will depend on thedegree of movement that is desired. However, in each case, folding andunfolding of the temples 20 may be permitted while accommodating suchabnormal loads.

It will also be seen that the provision of the ball and socket joint 28according to various embodiments of the present invention permits thehinge assembly 22 to provide the desired range of movement for thetemple as well as to accommodate the abnormal loads applied to thereto.At the same time, the provision of the socket member 52 and the flexiblefingers 62, 64, 66, 68 facilitates the assembly of the components ofvarious embodiments of the present invention by permitting anessentially straight axial insertion of the ball 60 into the cavity 58.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, it is seen that hinge assembly 22 may beattached to temple 20 via pin 1100 going through temple 20 into hingeassembly 22. Likewise, it is seen that hinge assembly 22 may be attachedto temple region 18 of main frame 12 by pin 1102 going through templeregion 18 of main frame 12 into hinge assembly 22. Of course, in otherexamples, the connection may be by glue, solder, crimping, bolts or anyother desired mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, another embodiment of the presentinvention is shown (FIG. 12A shows an exploded top view of a left sideof a pair of eyeglasses incorporating a hinge assembly according to anembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 12B shows an exploded sideview of the left side of the pair of eyeglasses incorporating the hingeassembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 12A). As seen in thesefigures, temple 1200 includes cavity 1202 (cavity 1202 may have acylindrical cross section, a square cross-section, a rectangular crosssection, a triangular cross section, or any other desired shape).Disposed within cavity 1202 is spring 1204 and pad 1206. Joint member1208 is pivotally attached to temple 1200 via pivot pin 1210 (pivot pin1210 goes through openings 1212, 1213 provided in temple 1200 as well asopening 1214 provided in joint member 1208). Joint member 1208 is alsopivotally attached to temple region 1216 (of a main frame of theeyeglasses) via pivot pin 1218 (pivot pin 1218 goes through openings1220,1221 provided in temple region 1216 as well as opening 1222provided in joint member 1208). Finally, pad 1224 and spring 1226 aredisposed within cavity 1228 of temple region 1216 (cavity 1228 may havea cylindrical cross section, a square cross-section, a rectangular crosssection, a triangular cross section, or any other desired shape).

In operation, spring 1204 pushes out against pad 1206 to bias pad 1206against joint member 1208. Depending upon the shape of the surface ofjoint member 1208 presented to pad 1206, this biasing action may: (a)serve to hold temple 1200 in one or more predefined positions as temple1200 is pivoted up or down relative to temple region 1216; and/or (b)serve to move temple 1200 to one or more predefined positions as temple1200 is pivoted up or down relative to temple region 1216.

Similarly, spring 1226 pushes out against pad 1224 to bias pad 1224against joint member 1208. Depending upon the shape of the surface ofjoint member 1208 presented to pad 1224, this biasing action may: (a)serve to hold temple 1200 in one or more predefined positions as temple1200 is pivoted laterally relative to temple region 1216; and/or (b)serve to move temple 1200 to one or more predefined positions as temple1200 is pivoted laterally relative to temple region 1216 (of note, theorientation of the joint member 1208 may be moved such that each ofpivot pins 1210,1218 is essentially orthogonal to the position shown inFIGS. 12A and 12B).

Referring now to FIGS. 13A and 13B, an arrangement similar to that shownin FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal difference here (as opposedto FIGS. 12A and 12B) is in the shape of temple 1300.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A and 14B, an arrangement similar to that shownin FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal difference here (as opposedto FIGS. 12A and 12B) is that temple region 1416 is formed as part ofthe main frame of the eyeglasses (as opposed to temple region 1216,which is attached (via screws or other mechanism) to the main frame ofthe eyeglasses).

Referring now to FIGS. 15A and 15B, an arrangement similar to that shownin FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal difference here (as opposedto FIGS. 12A and 12B) is that hinge box 1590 (with cavity 1592) isattached (via screws or other mechanism) to temple 1500 and hinge box1594 (with cavity 1596 is attached (via screws or other mechanism) totemple region 1516 (of the main frame of the eyeglasses).

Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, an arrangement similar to that shownin FIGS. 12A and 12B is shown. The principal difference here (as opposedto FIGS. 12A and 12B) is that hinge box 1690 (with cavity 1692) isattached (via an interference fit) to temple 1600 and hinge box 1694(with cavity 1696) is attached (via an interference fit) to templeregion 1616 (of the main frame of the eyeglasses).

Referring now to FIGS. 17-21, various additional examples of jointmembers of the type shown in FIGS. 12-16 are depicted. Of note, each ofFIGS. 17A-21A shows a view along a first plane, and each of FIGS.17B-21B shows a view along a second plane generally orthogonal to thefirst plane (that is, FIGS. 17A and 17B show two views of the sameelement; FIGS. 18A and 18B show two views of the same element; FIGS. 19Aand 19B show two views of the same element; FIGS. 20A and 20B show twoviews of the same element; and FIGS. 21A and 21B show two views of thesame element). Of further note, the different shapes of these elementsmay provide different positions at which the temple is held or movedand/or may require different amounts of force to hold or move the templeto such different positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 22-26, various additional examples of pads of thetype shown in FIGS. 12-16 are depicted. Of note, each of FIGS. 22A-26Ashows a view along a first plane, and each of FIGS. 22B-26B shows a viewalong a second plane different than the first plane (that is, FIGS. 22Aand 22B show two views of the same element; FIGS. 23A and 23B show twoviews of the same element; FIGS. 24A and 24B show two views of the sameelement; FIGS. 25A and 25B show two views of the same element; and FIGS.26A and 26B show two views of the same element). Of further note, thedifferent shapes of these elements may provide different positions atwhich the temple is held or moved and/or may require different amountsof force to hold or move the temple to such different positions.

While a number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrativeonly, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, thefingers/slots of the socket may define any desired number ofpredetermined paths to permit rotational and/or pivotal movement betweenthe ball and socket. Further, while various housings have been shown asdisposed within the temple, such housings could, in other examples, bedisposed adjacent the temple or surrounding the temple. Likewise, whilevarious housings have been shown as attached to the temple region of themain frame, such housings could, in other examples, be disposed withinthe temple region or surrounding the temple region. Further still, anysteps described herein may be carried out in any desired order (and anyadditional steps may be added as desired and any steps may be deleted asdesired).

1-44. (canceled)
 45. A hinge assembly, comprising: a joint elementcomprising first and second essentially orthogonal plate members,wherein the first plate member has an opening extending from one side tothe other and wherein the second plate member has an opening extendingfrom one side to the other; a first pivot pin; a second pivot pin,wherein the first plate member of the joint element is pivotally mountedto an end of a temple of a pair of eyeglasses by the first pivot pinpassing through at least one opening in the end of the temple of thepair of eyeglasses and the opening in the first plate member; andwherein the second plate member of the joint element is pivotallymounted to a temple region of the main frame of the pair of eyeglassesby the second pivot pin passing through at least one opening in the endof the temple region of the main frame and the opening in the secondplate member; a spring disposed in a cavity in the end of the temple;and a pad disposed in the cavity in the end of the temple between thespring and the first plate member, wherein the spring biases the padagainst a surface of the first plate member as the first plate memberpivots.
 46. The hinge assembly of claim 45, wherein the shape of thesurface of the first plate member and the biasing of the pad against thesurface of the first plate member holds the temple in at least one of afolded state and an unfolded state.
 47. The hinge assembly of claim 46,wherein the shape of the surface of the first plate member against whichthe pad is biased comprises at least one curved area and at least oneessentially flat area.
 48. A hinge assembly, comprising: a joint elementcomprising first and second essentially orthogonal plate members,wherein the first plate member has an opening extending from one side tothe other and wherein the second plate member has an opening extendingfrom one side to the other; a first pivot pin; a second pivot pin,wherein the first plate member of the joint element is pivotally mountedto an end of a temple of a pair of eyeglasses by the first pivot pinpassing through at least one opening in the end of the temple of thepair of eyeglasses and the opening in the first plate member; andwherein the second plate member of the joint element is pivotallymounted to a temple region of the main frame of the pair of eyeglassesby the second pivot pin passing through at least one opening in the endof the temple region of the main frame and the opening in the secondplate member; a spring disposed in a cavity in the temple region of themain frame; and a pad disposed in the cavity in the temple region of themain frame between the spring and the second plate member, wherein thespring biases the pad against a surface of the second plate member asthe second plate member pivots.
 49. The hinge assembly of claim 48,wherein the shape of the surface of the second plate member and thebiasing of the pad against the surface of the second plate member holdsthe temple in at least one of a folded state and an unfolded state. 50.The hinge assembly of claim 49, wherein the shape of the surface of thesecond plate member against which the pad is biased comprises at leastone curved area and at least one essentially flat area.